ND Department of Agriculture
Legislative Testimony - 2009

Testimony of Doug Goehring
Agriculture Commissioner
House Concurrent Resolution 3067
Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees
Brynhild Haugland Room
April 21, 2009

Chairman Johnson, Chairman Flakoll and members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, I am Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.  I am here today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 3067.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Engrossed HCR 3048
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
March 19, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Roger Johnson, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner.  I am here to support Engrossed HCR 3048 which would direct the Legislative Council to study the bonding requirements placed on grain warehouses and buyers and ways to reduce further the financial risk of participants in the production, handling, and processing of grain.

Testimony of Wayne Carlson
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
House Bill 1112
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Parks Room
March 12, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the committee, for the record, I am Wayne Carlson the Program Manager for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. I am here to testify in support of House Bill 1112, which would allow for civil penalties if meat inspection laws are violated.

Testimony of Jesse L. Vollmer, DVM
Assistant State Veterinarian
House Bill 1073
Senate Industry, Business and Labor
Roosevelt Room
March 10, 2009

Honorable chairman Klein, members of the committee, I am Dr. Jesse L. Vollmer, Assistant State Veterinarian with the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health, and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today to testify in support of this HB 1073 and to offer eight amendments to the bill.

Testimony of Blake Schaan
Noxious Weed Specialist
House Bill 1270
Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
March 6, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, my name is Blake Schaan. I am a Noxious Weed Specialist in the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of HB 1270, which will create an inspection and certification program for weed seed free forage (WSFF). The growing demand for and subsequent use of certified forage will ultimately mitigate the risk of spreading noxious and invasive weeds in North Dakota and surrounding states.

Testimony of Chuck Fleming
HB 1326
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
March 6, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Chuck Fleming, Marketing Director for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. I am here today in support of HB 1326, which would allow the Board of Animal Health to provide inspection and verification services to a beef producer for the purpose of certifying that cattle have been or are being raised according to standards and protocols established by the producer.  It also allows the Board of Animal Health to establish and charge fees for the requested services.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
House Bill 1110
Senate Agriculture Committee
Brynhild Haugland Room
March 5, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of HB 1110, which will put regulations in place which will better help us deal with feral swine issues in North Dakota. 

Testimony of Kenneth S. Junkert
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
House Bill 1149
Senate Agriculture Committee
Brynhild Haugland Room
8:50 am, March 5, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Ken Junkert, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Program manager.  I am here today in support of HB 1149 which will amend North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) § 4-33-02 to expand  the educational background hiring requirements for the individual currently employed as the state agricultural entomologist to carry out the survey, control and quarantine provisions of  NDCC Chapter 4-33 which deals with plant pests.

Testimony of
Roger Johnson, Agriculture Commissioner
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
HCR 3001
Brynhild Haugland Room
March 5, 2009
8:30 AM

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee.   I am here to testify in support of HCR 3001, which directs the Legislative Council to continue its study of North Dakota Century Code provisions that relate to agriculture.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2003
House Appropriations Committee-Education and Environment Division
Sakakawea Room
March 2, 2009

Chairman Skarphol and members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of the portion of SB 2003 pertaining to funding for the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) and the Kansas State Program.  As you are aware, the PSEP program assists North Dakota students enrolled in professional programs not offered in the state of North Dakota, including optometry, dentistry, and of greatest importance to agriculture, veterinary medicine.  The recent implementation of the Kansas State funding has provided an additional avenue to train food animal veterinarians, and we look forward to the graduation of the first group of students selected for this program in May of this year.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
HCR 3048
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
February 27, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Roger Johnson, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner.  I am here to support HCR 3048 which would direct the Legislative Council to study the bonding requirements placed on grain warehouses and buyers and ways to reduce further the financial risk of participants in the production, handling, and processing of grain.

Testimony of Wayne R. Carlson
Livestock Service Program Manager
House Bill 1111
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
February 27, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services  for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of HB111 which changes the state’s dairy laws.

Testimony of Kenneth S. Junkert
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Plant Industries Program Manager
House Bill 1549
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
February 27, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Ken Junkert, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Program Manager.  I am here today in support of Engrossed HB 1549, which adds state licensing requirements for any person intending to grow or process industrial hemp for research purposes and removes the licensing requirement from any person licensed by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency to conduct research.   

Testimony of Judy Carlson
Program Coordinator
House Bill 1026
Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
10:15 a.m., Thursday, February 26, 2009 

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Judy Carlson, a Program Coordinator at the department of agriculture.  I am here today in support of House Bill 1026, which would rewrite North Dakota’s noxious weed control law. 

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
HCR 3034
House Transportation Committee
Fort Totten Room
February 13, 2009

Chairman Ruby and members of the House Transportation Committee, I am North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here to support HCR 3034 which urges Congress and the President to enact federal legislation to create protections for railroad shippers, particularly those in areas without effective rail-to-rail competition.

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2351
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Brynhild Haugland Room
February 12, 2009

Chairman Lyson and members of the Natural Resources Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller, with the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health.  I am in support of SB 2351. This bill has done one good thing already.  It has brought many people together in North Dakota and started discussions regarding the effects of baiting and feeding on wildlife.

Testimony of Jesse L. Vollmer, DVM
Assistant State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2351
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Brynhild Haugland Room
February 12, 2009

Chairman Lyson, members of the committee,  I am Jesse L. Vollmer, Assistant State Veterinarian with the State Board of Animal Health,  and I am here today to testify in support of SB2351. The State Board of Animal Health is required by NDCC § 36-01-12 to control, suppress and eradicate disease in domestic animals and nontraditional livestock. 

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1426
House Natural Resources Committee
Pioneer Room
February 12, 2009

Chairman Porter and members of the House Natural Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1426, which prescribes uniform wind tower setbacks.   I believe that the state should have siting regulations in place for wind development that protect the rights of landowners and provide a predictable, fair playing field for wind developers.  I understand that an amendment may be offered to this bill that requires the PSC to develop rules and regulations regarding wind tower setbacks.  I support that amendment.

Testimony of Jesse L. Vollmer, DVM
Assistant State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2342 - Attachment
Senate Appropriations Committee
Harvest Room
February 5, 2009

Chairman Holmberg and members of the Appropriations Committee, I am Assistant State Veterinarian Jesse Vollmer.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) in support of SB 2342, which if passed will provide state funds for the ND Voluntary Johne’s disease control program.

Testimony of Judy Carlson, Program Coordinator
Senate Bill 2371
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
8:30 am, February 5, 2009

Chairman Flakoll, and members of the Senate Agriculture Committees, I am Judy Carlson, a Program Coordinator at the department of agriculture.  I am here today in support of Senate Bill 2371, which would make it easier for weed boards to use cost share funds for weed control.

Testimony of Kenneth S. Junkert
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Plant Industries Program Manager
House Bill 1549
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 30, 2008

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Ken Junkert, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Program Manager.  I am here today in support of HB 1549 and Representative Monson’s proposed amendments, which remove the licensing requirement from the North Dakota State University Research Center and the agricultural experiment stations, and remove proposed subsection 4 of section 4-41-02. In order to conduct industrial hemp research, NDSU recently entered into a memorandum of agreement with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. The agreement dictates specific control measures to ensure accountability and prevent diversion of industrial hemp. More specifically, DEA is requiring NDSU to keep extensive records, monitor all planting and harvesting activities, and provide extensive security measures to protect the research site.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2248
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 30, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  As Agriculture Commissioner and Chair of the Pesticide Control Board, I am here today in support of SB 2248, as amended. SB 2248 amends Chapter 4-35 of the North Dakota Century Code, the chapter that regulates the distribution, sale, storage, and use of pesticides. The chapter also establishes certification requirements for pesticide dealers and private, commercial, and public applicators. As Agriculture Commissioner, I am charged with enforcing provisions of N.D.C.C. 4-35.

Testimony of Wayne Carlson
Program Manager for Livestock Services
SB 2291
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 29, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of SB 2291 which would make Bio Fuel Pace loan funds eligible as a tool to finance anaerobic digesters on livestock operations.

Testimony of Sue B. Balcom
Local Foods Marketing Specialist
ND Dept of Agriculture
SB 2231
Senate Political Subdivision committee
Red River Room
January 29, 2009

Chairman Andrist and members of the Senate Political Subdivisions Committee, my name is Sue Balcom, the local foods marketing specialist for the ND Dept of Agriculture. I am before you today on behalf of the Department of Agriculture in support of SB 2231 which would offer financial assistance to the North Dakota Department of Human Services to contract a provider for statewide charitable food distribution.  The bill would also address gaps in services and other options for North Dakota’s charitable emergency feeding network.

Testimony of Sue B. Balcom
Local Foods Marketing Specialist
ND Department of Agriculture
HB 1543
Peace Garden Room
January 29, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, my name is Sue Balcom, the Local Foods Marketing Specialist with the ND Department of Agriculture. I am here today in support of HB 1543, which would create and enact a new section to the North Dakota Century Code, relating to preferences for North Dakota food products.

Testimony of Jesse L. Vollmer, DVM
Assistant State Veterinarian
Senate Bill 2342 - Attachment
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Room
January 29, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Assistant State Veterinarian Jesse Vollmer.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) in support of SB 2342, which if passed will provide state funds for the ND Voluntary Johne’s disease control program.

Testimony of Blake Schaan
Noxious Weed Specialist
House Bill 1270
Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 29, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, my name is Blake Schaan. I am a Noxious Weed Specialist in the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of HB 1270. Based on the continued demand for certified forage and gravel products, the Department worked extensively with others to craft a revised program. Current law authorizes only county weed boards to perform inspections and issue certifications for weed free forage and gravel, scoria, and sand pits. Not all counties offer this inspection service and demand for this service has not been met.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
HB 1326
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 29, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. I am here today in support of HB 1326 which, at the request of a beef producer, would allow the Board of Animal Health to provide inspection and verification services to a beef producer for the purpose of certifying that cattle have been or are being raised according to standards and protocols established by the producer.  It also allows the Board of Animal Health to establish and charge fees for the requested services.

Testimony of Beth W. Carlson, DVM
Deputy State Veterinarian
House Bill 1210
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 23, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Deputy State Veterinarian Beth Carlson.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in opposition to HB 1210, which would prohibit the use of state or federal funds by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health to regulate “big game or farmed elk” in North Dakota. 

Testimony of Jeff Knudson
ND Department of Agriculture
HB 1150
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 22, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Jeff Knudson, Executive Services Program Manager for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here to support HB 1150 which would repeal chapter 4-38 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to organic foods standards.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
House Bill 1112
Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 16, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the committee, for the record, I am North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. I am here to testify in support of House Bill 1112, which would allow for civil penalties if meat inspection laws are violated.

Testimony of Wayne R. Carlson
Livestock Service Coordinator
House Bill 1111
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 16, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am Wayne Carlson, Program Manager for Livestock Services  for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  I am here today in support of HB 1111 which changes the state’s dairy laws.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
HB 1109
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 15, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the House Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of HB 1109, which would change the statutory roles and duties of the Agriculture Commissioner (Commissioner) related to the various commodity promotion groups.  This bill makes the Commissioner’s roles and duties more uniform and focused on activities that could equally benefit all the groups. 

Testimony of Susan J. Keller, DVM
State Veterinarian
House Bill 1110
House Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
January 15, 2009

Chairman Johnson and members of the Agriculture Committee, I am State Veterinarian Susan Keller.  I am here today on behalf of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and the State Board of Animal Health in support of HB 1110, which will put regulations in place which will better help us deal with feral swine issues in North Dakota. 

Testimony of Judy Carlson, Program Coordinator
Joint meeting with the Senate and House Agriculture Committees
To receive a report from the Agriculture Commissioner on pesticide container disposal
and the commodity groups.
Brynhild Haugland Room
January 9, 2009

Chairman Johnson and Chairman Flakoll, and members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, I am Judy Carlson, a Program Coordinator at the department of agriculture.  I am here today to present our legislative report on Project Safe Send, our pesticide disposal and container recycling program.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
Senate Bill 2127
Senate Agriculture Committee
Roosevelt Park Room
January 08, 2009

Chairman Flakoll and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson.  I am here today in support of SB 2127, which amends the loan approval requirements for the first - time farmer finance program.

Testimony of Roger Johnson
Agriculture Commissioner
House Bill 1026
Agriculture Committee
Peace Garden Room
11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 8, 2009